5Essentials Survey Deadline Today

Please take a few moments to complete the 5Essentials Parent Survey that is due today. This survey is a helpful resource for our school and should only take 5 minutes to complete. We greatly appreciate you for sharing your insights. Please begin the 5Essentials Survey.

St. Joseph's Day Celebration

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, for a parish-wide St. Joseph’s Day celebration. The committee has planned a wonderful afternoon and evening.

Award-winning author Judith Valente will share insights from her book, The Italian Soul: How to Savor the Full Joys of Life, at 3pm in the school's Main Hall. We are honored to have this esteemed author at St. Barnabas, and all are welcome.

After the presentation, head to the Church for the 4pm Mass honoring St. Joseph. At 5pm, gather in the school lunchroom for a celebratory pasta dinner. Learn more.

June Summer Camp

Registration is now open for our June Summer Camps, hosted by St. Barnabas teachers and open to students in rising grades PK - 8. Camps will be held the weeks of June 8 and June 15, and are the perfect way to ease families into the summer transition. Register online.

WEEK 1 mornings: 

• American Sign Language Camp, with Ms. Patterson (Gr 4 - 8)
• Art Camp, with Mrs. Bachler (Gr 1 - 3) 
• Leadership Launch, with Mrs. McGowan (Gr 6 - 8)
• Let's Get Active, with Ms. Sanchez (Gr 3 - 8)
• Outdoor Adventure, with Mrs. Pinkston and Ms. Welsh (Gr PK - K)

WEEK 1 afternoons: 

• Art Camp, with Mrs. Bachler (Gr 4 - 8)
• Spanish Camp, with Ms. Sanchez (Gr 3 - 8)

WEEK 2 mornings: 

• American Sign Language Camp, with Ms. Patterson (Gr 4 - 8)
• Art Camp, with Mrs. Bachler (Gr 1 - 3) 
• Outdoor Adventure, with Mrs. Pinkston and Ms. Welsh (Gr PK - K)

WEEK 2 afternoons: 

• Art Camp, with Mrs. Bachler (Gr 4 - 8)

Hoops for Humanity

Student Council will host its annual Hoops for Humanity 3-on-3 basketball tournament next Wednesday, March 25, at 1:30pm (an early-dismissal day). All students in grades 5-8 are invited to participate. Each team playing in the tournament will nominate a charity, and proceeds from the tournament will be given to the winning team's charity. Printed registration form and payment should be submitted to Mrs. McGowan, Room 204, no later than Monday, March 23. The cost to participate is $2 per player. View the details and registration.

Stations of the Cross

On Friday, March 27 at 1:45pm our 8th grade students will lead our School Stations of the Cross. We encourage families to join us for this meaningful religious devotion. Learn more.

No Spirit Wear this Friday, due to the solemnity of the occasion, we ask all students to wear their regular uniforms.

Comedy Theater Workshop - 4th & 5th Grade

Students in Grades 4 - 5 are invited to join Ms. Sanchez for a six-week comedy theater workshop to learn about stage comedy! Students will learn about theater, including elements of stage production and physical on-stage comedy. The workshop will meet on Mondays from 3pm - 4:30pm beginning next week. Class starts Monday > register today.

Boys Volleyball Pack the House

Join us next weekend on Saturday, March 28, in the gym as we celebrate the commitment of our 8th Grade Boys Volleyball athletes. The evening begins with 6th grade at 5pm, followed by 7th White and Red. 8th Grade takes on St. Linus at 7:30pm. View all the game times.

All 8th-grade students and their parents are invited to a post-game reception at The Vineyard. $15 per person included pizza and pop. Cash bar.

Get Ready for Spirit Day

Spirit Day is one of the best days of the year for our St. Barnabas students!! This year's event on Friday, May 22, is an 11:50am student dismissal leading into the long Memorial Day weekend. 

TSHIRT SALE - It's tradition for each grade to wear a specific color. This adds a team-oriented, festive element to the day, and 100% of the proceeds go to the FSA to help fund Spirit Day. Shirt orders are due by Sunday, April 26. Place your order.

VOLUNTEER - We’re getting ready for a fun, high-energy celebration for our students. To make the day run smoothly, we’re looking for parent/guardian volunteers.

• Join the Planning Committee - Spirit Day Coordinators Lindsey Goodman and Melissa Kreikemeier are looking for 8-10 Spirit Day Committee members to assist with game ideas, day-of setup, and logistics to ensure the day runs smoothly. Sign up for the planning committee.
• Day of Volunteers - Help guide students through activities, keep the energy up, and make sure everyone has a great time. Your enthusiasm truly helps make Spirit Day exciting and memorable for the kids. To ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible, please sign up only if you’re confident you can attend the entire day (7:45-11:50). Each station depends on a volunteer, and we greatly appreciate your reliability and support. Sign up to volunteer at the event.

QUESTIONS - Reach out to the Spirit Day Coordinators: Lindsey Goodman at ldrinane@gmail.com or Melissa Kreikemeier at mdillon925@gmail.com.

Fun Food with Manzo's Burgers

The final FSA Fun Food of the year is Friday, May 1, with Manzo’s Burgers. Orders are due by Friday, April 17, at 3pm. Cheeseburgers, hamburgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, or grilled cheese - there is something for everyone! Volunteers are needed to help serve and organize. Please sign up to help when you place your order. For questions, contact the FSA Fun Food Coordinator, Elise Mayer, at elise.mayer@chsd218.org. Order Fun Food.

Purchase Your Mother Son Tickets

The Mother-Son Bowling Party hosted by the FSA will take place on Sunday, April 19, at Arena Lanes. Join together for a fun evening of bowling, pizza, and memories. $50 Ticket includes a pair of tickets (mom + son) with bowling for your son, shoe rental, and 2 slices of pizza + pop per person, $22 ticket for additional son. The arcade will also be open; please bring money if your child plans to play at the arcade. Purchase in Membership Toolkit

Support Sister Act, Jr.

Our school musical - Sister Act, Jr will be held at the end of April. You don't want to miss this incredible show.

• Show Times - Thursday, April 23 at 7pm, Friday, April 24 at 7pm, and Saturday, April 25 at 5:30pm.
• Sponsor the Ad Book - Commitment is due today, Friday, March 20! The play ad book is the perfect opportunity to support the arts at St. Barnabas while advertising your local business. Learn more about the Ad Book.

Easter break is right around the corner, and suddenly, the school year is buzzing with end-of-year activities. We wanted to share a few reminders as we prepare for the upcoming Easter holiday school break.

Easter Break Dates

Students will dismiss at 11:50am (11:40 PK) on Wednesday, April 1. After Care is not available. Classes will resume on Monday, April 13. During the break, our school building will be closed, and the gym will remain open for limited student activities.  

Reminders before break

• Order Spirit Day Shirts & Volunteer 
• Order Fun Food
• Order Mother Son Tickets
• Order April Hot Lunches

Holy Week

Holy Week is the most important and sacred week in our Catholic faith. We welcome each of you to participate, remember, and reflect as a parish community:

• Palm Sunday, March 29 - Mass at 8am and 10am 
• Holy Thursday, April 2 - Mass at 7pm, Adoration until midnight
• Good Friday, April 3 - Stations of the Cross at 3pm
• Saturday, April 4 - Blessing of Easter Baskets at 4pm, Easter Vigil Mass at 7pm
• Sunday, April 5 - Easter Sunday Mass at 8am and 10am

Thank You Officer Leyden - We extend our thanks to the Chicago Police Department and Officer Kelly Leyden for taking time to meet with all of our students and educate them on safety as part of the Officer Friendly Program. Officer Leyden, your lessons are invaluable, and your genuine personality is a gift.

St. Patrick’s Day - Thank you to all who played a role in our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The founding of our parish and school over 100 years ago was rooted in Irish heritage. From our first pastor, the Irish-born Father Hurley, to the many early parishioner families who were Irish immigrants, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day as a Church and school community grew into a long-celebrated tradition. We thank all those who planned, attended, and contributed to the Saturday Mass and Soda Bread Reception. To our Men’s Club, FSA, School Board, and Athletic Board for coordinating the South Side Irish Parade float - thank you. To all those who marched with or cheered for our group in the parade - thank you. And to all the staff, students, and families who enjoyed our Tuesday school mass - thank you.

May your heart be warm and happy

With the lilt of Irish laughter

Every day in every way

And forever and ever after.

• FAMILY RESOURCES - School Policies and Procedures
• STAY IN THE KNOW - Link to top news & events
• REPORT AN ABSENCE - Report illness or planned absence by 8am
• HOT LUNCH - Country House food service
• STAFF DIRECTORY - Staff emails
• FAMILY DIRECTORY - DirectorySpot Access
• ROOM PARENTS - Contact Info for each homeroom
• INCIDENT REPORT - Online Incident Reporting Form
• CLASS OF 2026 - 8th Grade Events Page
• VOLUNTEER - Get Involved
• TREATS FOR TEACHERS - Donate drinks and snacks for staff
• BUCKEYE SHOP - Spirit Wear and Uniform Apparel
• SCHOOL NEWS ARCHIVE - Links to previous issues
• PHOTO GALLERY - Links to Meghan Jones images